‘The Boatman’s Call’ is the tenth studio album by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, released in 1997. The album, which is entirely piano-based and a departure from the band’s post-punk catalogue, remains one of the most critically acclaimed releases of Nick Cave’s career.

Recording for the album began in London in mid 1996, with the bulk recorded at Sarm West and further recordings done at Abbey Road Studios.

Moving away from full-band arrangements and character-based narratives, the album’s music and lyrics move towards the more intimate sound of Cave’s solo voice accompanied by piano or a few other instruments. The tempo is also generally slow, reflecting many of the moods of the songs. Many of the lyrics seem to reflect on Cave’s personal relationships and spiritual yearnings at the time of writing.

Some songs are thought to be directed at either the mother of Cave’s oldest son Luke, Viviane Carneiro (in ‘Where Do We Go Now But Nowhere?’) or PJ Harvey, with whom he had a brief relationship around that time (as referenced in ‘West Country Girl’, ‘Black Hair’ and ‘Green Eyes’).

Cave performed ‘Into My Arms’ at the funeral of Michael Hutchence and demanded that the TV cameras be shut off for his performance out of respect for Hutchence. The song ‘People Ain’t No Good’ was also featured in the movie ‘Shrek 2’.

Heavyweight 180g vinyl.

Vinyl transfer approval overseen by Mick Harvey in Summer 2014 and cut at Abbey Road Studios.

This edition, personally approved by Nick Cave, is finally available again on its original format.

Includes download code.